By the time the Regional Visitor Gateway project wraps up in September 2015, six more people will have work experience by turning Nelson's historic CPR railway station into a state-of-the-art tourist centre and headquarters for the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, thanks to $176,000 in government Job Creation Partnership funding.

These workers are getting experience in construction, carpentry and heritage restoration techniques on the structure, built in 1900, as well as safety orientation over the course of one year. The project is scheduled to finish in September 2015. The Nelson Gateway project, overall, has received more than $364,000 in funding and trained 10 other workers in two earlier stages of the project: more than $54,000 for the first stage and approximately $134,000 in the second stage.

Job Creation Partnerships are part of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information.

To date, more than 450 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 120 projects have been funded throughout the province.

The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

“The Nelson Regional Gateway is a high-profile project in the Kootenays and the workers there are getting great construction experience on a heritage building that will look terrific on their resumes when they’re finished.”

Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Tom Thomson -

“For this project, the program is doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing - getting workers experience and getting them back into the workforce. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of the ministry and, equally importantly, the Job Creation Partnership participants who have contributed so much to the project.”

Project supervisor and former participant Justin Campese -

“I broadened my construction skill level, and was moved into the position as the Job Creation Partnership (JCP) supervisor. The Regional Visitor Gateway project has been very beneficial to me and to the JCP participants I have worked with, getting the necessary skills and work experience to move on.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2014-15, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 85 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

To find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

To learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

For a photo of a participant in action: https://flic.kr/p/q8rwXH

Media Contacts:

Grant Kerr
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 387-5635